Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows
The Guardian••world
Key Points:
- Hate crimes motivated by race and religion on public transport in the UK have increased in recent years, with British Transport Police recording a rise from 2,827 racial hate crimes in 2019-20 to 3,258 in 2024-25.
- Religious hate crimes, particularly targeting Muslims in England and Wales, have also risen, with reports highlighting the vulnerability of visible Muslims facing verbal and physical abuse on buses and trains.
- Victims and community groups report that perpetrators are often emboldened by the environment of public transport, where isolation and alcohol contribute to aggressive behavior, leading some passengers to restrict their travel due to fear.
- Organizations like the British Muslim Trust and anti-racism charities call for urgent action from local authorities and
